Pipe coupling retainer with axial support members

Abstract

A retainer for use in a mechanical pipe coupling is disclosed. The retainer fits within an expanded region of the coupling adjacent to a washer which is adjacent to an incompressible seal. The retainer has a band with opposite edges. Angularly oriented retaining teeth extend inwardly from one edge and engage a pipe inserted into the coupling. Axial support members, arranged in spaced angular intervals circumferentially around the band, extend from the same edge and project toward the opposite edge. The support members are substantially parallel to the band and have ends that engage the washer and exert an axial force to prevent it from telescoping into the band when the seal is under pressure and tries to expand and displace the washer.

1 . A retainer positionable within a pipe coupling for retaining a pipe end within said coupling, said retainer comprising: 
 a circumferential band surrounding a central axis and having an outwardly facing surface engageable with an inwardly facing surface of said pipe coupling, said band having first and second edges oppositely disposed;    a plurality of teeth attached to said first edge of said band and projecting inwardly, said teeth being angularly oriented toward said second edge of said band and being engageable with said pipe when positioned within said band; and    a plurality of support members projecting axially from said first edge of said band toward said second edge, said support members adapted to apply an axial force in a direction substantially parallel to said central axis.    
   
   
       2 . A retainer according to  claim 1 , wherein said support members have a predetermined length at least as long as the width of said band.  
   
   
       3 . A retainer according to  claim 1 , wherein said support members all have substantially the same length.  
   
   
       4 . A retainer according to  claim 1 , wherein said band has a width between about 0.10 inches and about 0.30 inches.  
   
   
       5 . A retainer according to  claim 1 , comprising at least three of said support members.  
   
   
       6 . A retainer according to  claim 1 , wherein said support members are spaced around said band at substantially equal angular intervals.  
   
   
       7 . A retainer according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said support members has a flat engagement surface positioned at its end.  
   
   
       8 . A retainer according to  claim 1 , wherein said support members are oriented substantially parallel to said band.  
   
   
       9 . A retainer according to  claim 8 , wherein said support members are in spaced apart relation with respect to said band.  
   
   
       10 . A retainer positionable within a pipe coupling for retaining a pipe end within said coupling, said retainer comprising: 
 a circumferential band surrounding a central axis and having an outwardly facing surface engageable with an inwardly facing surface of said pipe coupling, said band having first and second edges oppositely disposed;    a plurality of teeth attached to said first edge of said band and projecting inwardly, said teeth being angularly oriented toward said second edge of said band and being engageable with said pipe when positioned within said band; and    a plurality of support members projecting axially from said first edge of said band toward said second edge, said support members being oriented substantially parallel to said band and having a predetermined length at least as long as the width of said band, said support members adapted to apply an axial force in a direction substantially parallel to said central axis.    
   
   
       11 . A retainer according to  claim 10 , comprising at least three of said support members.  
   
   
       12 . A retainer according to  claim 10 , wherein said support members are spaced around said band at substantially equal angular intervals.  
   
   
       13 . A retainer according to  claim 10 , wherein each of said support members has a flat engagement surface positioned at its end.  
   
   
       14 . A retainer according to  claim 10 , wherein said support members are in spaced apart relation with respect to said band.  
   
   
       15 . A coupling assembly for receiving an end of a pipe, said coupling assembly comprising: 
 a housing having a socket for receiving said pipe end and an expanded region positioned adjacent to said socket;    a seal positioned within said expanded region adjacent to said socket, said seal being sealingly engageable with said housing and said pipe;    a washer positioned within said expanded region adjacent to said seal;    an annular retainer positioned within said expanded region adjacent to said washer, said retainer comprising a circumferential band surrounding a central axis and having an outwardly facing surface, said band having first and second edges oppositely disposed;    a plurality of teeth projecting angularly inwardly from said first edge toward a peripheral surface portion of said pipe, said teeth being engageable with said peripheral surface portion for retaining said pipe within said housing; and    a plurality of support members projecting axially from said first edge toward said second edge of said band, said washer engaging said seal, said support members engaging said washer and exerting an axial force preventing any portion of said washer from moving within said band when said seal is subject to pressure within said housing.    
   
   
       16 . A coupling assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein said support members have a predetermined length at least as long as the width of said band.  
   
   
       17 . A coupling assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein said retainer has at least three of said support members.  
   
   
       18 . A coupling assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein each of said support members has a flat engagement surface positioned at its end, said flat engagement surface engaging said washer.  
   
   
       19 . A coupling assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein said support members are oriented substantially parallel to said band.  
   
   
       20 . A coupling assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein said support members are in spaced apart relation with respect to said band.